by Lilach Shoval
The incident takes place mere hours after Syria alleges Israeli airstrikes against weapons depots that belong to Iranian-backed militia operating in Aleppo's Safira region.
A rocket flying over the Syrian-Israeli border, Feb. 24, 2020 | File photo: Reuters via Sana |
The IDF fired artillery shells into Lebanon overnight after two rockets were fired at northern Israel from Lebanese territory, triggering sirens in the Western Galilee area.
One of the rockets was intercepted by Israel's air defenses, while the second fell in an open area, the IDF said. No injuries or damage were reported.
In response, the IDF said it fired artillery shells at targets in
Lebanon. It gave no details on the targets hit or who was behind the
rocket fire.
BREAKING: 2 rockets were fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel. 1 of the rockets was intercepted by the Iron Dome Aerial Defense System & the 2nd rocket fell in an open area inside Israel.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2021
We remain prepared to defend Israel on all fronts.
The incident took place about four hours after the Syrian military said Israel carried out an overnight aerial strike southeast of Syria's northern Aleppo province. The IDF did not comment on the statement or on similar reports in Arab media.
State news agency SANA said Syrian air defenses shot down most of the missiles in the attack that occurred just before midnight. The targets are still being identified, the official said, saying no casualties have been reported so far.
The Syrian army often brags about downing Israeli missiles – statements most Middle East experts dismiss as hollow boasts.
In response to the 2 rockets fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel, IDF artillery just struck in Lebanon.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2021
Lebanese television channel Al-Mayadeen, which is affiliated with the Hezbollah terrorist group, claimed it was "Israeli aggression," stating that Israel's target was a factory and research center on the outskirts of the city.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the alleged Israeli strikes targeted weapons depots that belong to Iranian-backed militia operating in Aleppo's Safira region. The group said the strikes were followed by loud explosions. The weapons depots were located inside Syrian military posts, the group said.
The reported attack took place on the eve of Eid Al-Adha, one of Islam's holiest holidays.
Israel has launched hundreds of strikes against Iran-linked military targets in Syria over the years but rarely acknowledges or discusses such operations. Last month, Israel reportedly carried out an attack on targets in central Syria.
Israel fears Iranian entrenchment on its northern frontier, and it has repeatedly struck Iran-linked facilities and weapons convoys destined for Hezbollah.
Lilach Shoval
Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/07/20/idf-shells-lebanon-following-rocket-fire-on-northern-israel/
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